TSS-seq of Toxoplasma gondii sporozoites revealed a novel motif in stage-specific promoters.
Infect Genet Evol
; 98: 105213, 2022 03.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35041968
ABSTRACT
Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most common zoonotic protozoan parasites. It has three major infectious stages rapidly multiplying tachyzoites (Tz), slowly replicating bradyzoites (Bz) and a resting/free-living stage, sporozoites (Sz). The regulatory mechanisms governing stage-specific gene expression are not fully understood. Few transcriptional start sites (TSS) are known for Sz. In this study, we obtained TSS of Sz using an oligo-capping method and RNA-seq analysis. We identified 1,043,503 TSS in the Sz transcriptome. These defined 38,973 TSS clusters, of which, 11,925 were expressed in Sz and 1535 TSS differentially expressed in Sz. Based on these data, we defined promoter regions and novel sporozoite stage-specific motifs using MEME. TGTANNTACA was distributed around -55 to -75 regions from each TSS. Interestingly, the same motif was reported in another apicomplexan, Plasmodium berghei, as a cis-element of female-specific gametocyte genes, implying the presence of common regulatory machinery. Further comparative analysis should better define the distribution and function of these elements in other members of this important parasitic phylum.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Toxoplasma
/
Promoter Regions, Genetic
/
Transcription Initiation Site
/
Sporozoites
Language:
En
Journal:
Infect Genet Evol
Journal subject:
BIOLOGIA
/
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
/
GENETICA
Year:
2022
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Japan